wcEND.rtf (40 page)

Hunter desperately needed to be alone with his lady wife. But from the moment, two days ago, when
Détra
had revealed she held secrets in her heart, secrets she was willing to share with him, they had not had a moment of privacy. The untimely arrival of his men had interrupted their conversation and the opportunities to speak alone du
ri
ng the journey had been scarce.

The waiting gnawed at Hunter and his mind swirled with questions and doubts. It had been such a relief to have finally cleansed his conscience and opened his heart to
Détra.
But her revelation that she too was plagued by secrets unsteadied him.

That she was willing to share them with him was encouraging. That she h
ad forgiven him despite her mem
o
r
ies, thrilling. But that she still insisted on having the chalice baf
f
led him.

If not to recover her memories, why would
Détra
need the chalice?

Hunter wished not to mistrust Détra; God knew he had relied much on her forgiveness thus far. Nonetheless, he had kept a close eye on her during the journey, wondering what she would do with the chalice. She had done naught, but kept it close at hand
,
as if it were a precious relic.

The sight of men
-
at
-
arms camped outside Windermere Castle's walls caused no uproar in Hunter's mind as he recognized the king's banner. What would Edward want with him that warranted such an unexpected visit?

"Who are these me
n
?" Détra asked worriedly.

Obviously not all memories had returned to his lady wife. "The king's men," Hunter said.

"Not Bruce
's
,
"
she whispered.

"Nay. England's king, Edward II."

She nodded and followed him through the gates of the castle and into the bailey. Hunter helped Détra down from her mount, steadying her. She looked exhausted and frustrated. As was he.

"Do you think we can find out about Maude before we see the king?" she asked, looking around the bailey for Maude.

Seeing Godfrey, Hunter motioned him closer.

"Do you have news of Maude?" Détra asked as soon as the man was within hearing distance.

"She is safe and well, my lady."

Détra let out a loud sigh of relief. "Thank God!"

"Indeed," Godfrey said, looking as relieved as Détra was. "My lord, the king of England awaits you inside. And also Lord Rupert."

Détra'
s
smile disappeared. "What does he want here?" she asked.

"I know not, but knowing Rupert he brings no joyful tidings," Hunter said. "We pay our respects to the king, Détra, then hope he will give us leave to rest before having to regale him with every gory detail of our ordeal. I shall not worry about Rupert."

They found Edward sitting comfortably at the lord's chair in the great hall, savo
ri
ng Hunter's best wine, nibbling on cheese and bread, and conversing with Rupert. Hunter could not set aside his suspicions Rupert was behind
Détra
's abduction. Even if he had been with the king the whole time, it would not necessarily preclude his possible involvement.

"My lord." Hunter briefly went down on one knee at the king's feet then rose. "It is a pleasure to see you at Windermere. Please forgive me my delay. I trust Godfrey has taken care of your needs in my absence."

Edward nodded. "He has been very efficient."

Pleased, Hunter turned to Rupert. "I did not expect to find you here."

"I came to offer my aid in finding Lady Détra and repay you me inconvenience you have gone through on my behalf," Rupert said.

"Judging by the blood stains in Hunter's hauberk," the king interrupted, "I would hardly call it an inconvenience. Tell me Hunter, are you wounded or is this your enemies' blood?"

"My enemies', my lord. The king's enemies'," he added for good measure.

"As I thought." The king smiled. "Woe to the enemies of England and my crown. And hail to Lord Hunter's mighty sword." He lifted his goblet in a toast. Rupert made a perfunctory gesture and Hunter bowed to the king's compliment, since he had no cup in hand.

"Obviously, had I been informed in time, I would have
saved Lord Hunter the trouble of dealing with the Scots attacking Hawkhaven," Rupert said.

"It was not for lack of trying that you were not informed," Hunter said. "It seems you were nowhere to be found."

As Hunter had expected, the jab hit home. Ruffled
,
Rupert jerked to his feet. "My men knew exactly where to find me. There should have been no difficulty in such a task. I shall find out who is responsible for this failing and punish him accordingly."

Hunter was not in the mind for Rupert's excuses. Had he not been fighting Rupert's battle,
Détra
would not have been abducted, he was certain.

Then again, neither would he have met his father, or cleansed his conscience with his lady wife. Surely those had not been the results Rupert had hoped for. It had, however, made an incredible difference in Hunter's life.

If only he could prove his suspicions of Rupert.

"Be that as it may," the king said,
"
you are fortunate, Rupert, your castle still stands. And you should be more grateful for Hunter's aid. Especially in the light of our earlier discussion."

Hunter's innards tightened. What discussion? Anyt
h
ing coming from Rupert would only mean woe to him.

"I lament you paid such a high price for your generosity, Hunter," the king said.

Unease skittered down Hunter's spine. "I know not what you speak of, my lord."

Edward pointed to Détra. "In your absence your lady wife was abducted, I was told. It is fortunate indeed that you have rescued her unharmed." The king inspected
Détra
briefly. "At least I assume she is unharmed."

"Unharmed but utterly weary," Hunter said.
Détra
looked about to fall on her face. "In fact
,
both of us are rather exhausted and would like to retire momentarily."

Expecting to be given leave, Hunter was surprised at Edward's momentary silence.

"I realize this is a most unfortunate time," the king finally said. "But I must return to Berwick Castle without delay. Thus, let us speak now and be done with it, shall we?"

Hunter accepted his sovereign king's command disguised as a request with certain trepidation. Had the king heard of his encounter with Bruce? But how could he? Hunter directed an accusing glare at Rupert. Did he know?

"As you wish, my lord," Hunter said. "But mayhap you could give leave to my lady wife. She has been through a terrible ordeal and I am certain she is not interested in tales of battles."

"I am not insensitive to Lady Détra's plight," the king said, reclining back against his chair and taking a sip of his wine. "But I fear her presence is necessary since what I wish to discuss at this time is a certain petition she has made of me."

Petition? Hunter glanced at Détra and she looked ready to swoon, her skin a shade paler than usual. Before Hunter could succor her, she slumped down on the bench, wordlessly. The sachet, containing the chalice, fell at her feet.

Could this be the secret Détra wished to share with him? What could she possibly have wanted from the king? Hunter deeply disliked the implications.

Keenly aware of Rupert's presence, Hunter suggested, "Mayhap we should speak in private, my lord."

“
I
t is a matter that concerns Lord Rupert as well."

Hunter's heart skipped a beat as Jeremy's words flooded his mind.
It is said that Lord Rupert covets another lord's wife.

It took all of Hunter's strength not to spring on Rupert and skewer the man with his sword right here and now.

Deus!
But he had been blind. Having never bested Hunte
r
with the sword, the swine had resorted to stealing his wife.

But what role did Détra play in this? Was her frightened silence proof of guilt? Had his lady wife, the woman of his heart, betrayed him with his worst enemy?

A vein began pulsing on his temple. With extreme effort Hunter kept his features steeled.

"I am certain you would have preferred a more timely response," the king said to Détra. "However belatedly, here I am. Would you care to reiterate your petition?"

Al
l
eyes turned to
Détra
.

Knowing the terrible predicament she was in, Isabel swallowed hard. Détra's secret was about to be unearthed at the worst possible moment. Isabel had thought she might never have to address Détra's betrayal, at least not before she told Hunter of her true identify. How could he believe anything she told him after today?

Wasn't it enough of an emotional roller coaster she and Hunter had endured these past weeks? Did this added complication have to happen now?

R
eal
i
z
in
g aft she could do at this point was damage control, Isabel steadied her gaze on the king. He was the man she must convince now. Hunter, she would have to try later. As for Rupert she didn't care a bit what happened to him.

"I would rather you disregard my petition, my lord."

Rupert looked about to have an apoplexy, which gave Isabel a small measure of pleasure.

"May I ask what this petition entails?" Hunter's voice was deceptively calm, and he showed no outward emotion but a slight tightening of his hand over the hilt of his sword that did nothing to calm Isabel's nerves.

"Your wife's desire to annul her marriage to you," Rupert gleefully informed him.

Isabel would've kicked Rupert in the groin with no pity
whatsoever, had he on
l
y been closer. The man was the true incarnation of a bastard. Should she inform the king about Rupert's presence at the lake
when
she was kidnapped? Or would that set Rupert off and make him bring attention to Hunter and the Scots?

"A petition Lady Détra has just revoked," the king corrected.

At least King Edward seemed interested in keeping the peace between his lords, Isabel thought, somewhat relieved.

"Am I to assume," the king turned to her, "that you are content with your marriage to Hunter of Hawkhaven?"

"Most definitely, my lord. Hunter is a wonderful man and I am grateful you made him
my
husband. I apologize for wasting your precious time with my temporary lack of judgment, and I beg your forgiveness."

"Mayhap you should beg your husband's forgiveness, Lady Détra."

"I intend to do so, my lord."

"You
are aware that Lord Hunter is within his rights to chastise you in any manner he shall see fit. I wi
l
l not interfere in a marital matter such as this," the king advised.

"And I shall accept my punishment." Isabel didn't exactly agree Hunter had the
ri
ght to "punish her" but she thought it best to behave according to the customs of the time. At least in front of the king. Later, she would have to pacify Hunter somehow. She had no intention of being physically abused. Not that she truly believed Hunter would hurt her. He was just not that kind of man. Maybe after she told him the truth of her identity he would understand
.

Or lock her up for life.

"You have leave to retire now, Lady
Détra
. Your husband and I need to speak of matters of war."

Dismissed, Isabel rose. She wanted to speak with Hunter, say something that would make him feel better, but he stood stiffly and avoided her gaze. Unsteady, she pushed herself away from the bench.

"Am I to get no satisfaction in this matter?" Rupert insisted.

"I have already spoken, Rupert," the king said. "I suggest you find another lady to fulfill your desires. This one is irrevocably wedded to Lord Hunter. You may leave now, Lady Détra," he reiterated.

Isabel stepped out from the bench and involuntarily kicked the sachet, sending it rolling down the stone floor. She dashed after it, but Rupert reached it before her.